Artisans in the tiny village of El Puente del Arzobispo hand-paint every line and figure on these delightful ceramics. This design originated in the 16th century and features a stag overlooking the countryside. The blue brushwork is painted on a warm, ivory white background. These plates will bring a rustic beauty to any table.

We visited our friend Belén at her small workshop to take a look at her new patterns, and discovered something classic instead! Under the piles of boldly colored ceramics we found a plate with an elegant blue pattern that captured our imagination.

Belén told us that the design originated in the 16th century. Although colorful modern designs are more common now, she continues painting the traditional pattern to this day.

El Puente del Arzobispo is a beautiful little village in the countryside not far from Toledo. It is famous for its abundant wildlife, which is reflected in the designs. The 16th century artisans could not afford expensive multi-colored glazes, so the subtle blue was the most common color in their ceramics. We visited the local ceramics museum and found plates from 400 years ago with designs almost identical to what they are producing today.

This plate is lead free and food safe. While these plates are dishwasher safe, you may want to hand wash them to prevent the glaze from fading over time.